Discontinuous set well packers



July 23, 1968 H. 1 Bmx-:Low ET Al- 3,393,742

DISCONTINUOUS SET WELL PACKERS Filed Dec. 29, 1964 5 Sheets-Shee'(l l July 23, 1968 H. l.. Blei-:Low ET AL 3,393,742

DISCONTINUOUS SET WELL PACKERS Filed Dec. 29, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Hepepr L. B/GEL ow ARCHER W. KAM/751252,12. Bye//l )ica-4u r Zl/ Y 52 rzfoE/VEYS.

July 23, 1968 H. L.. BIGELow ET AL 3,393,742

DISCONTINUOUS SET WELLl PACKERS 5 Sheets-SheeftI 3 Filed Dec. 29, 1964 Anc/45e W. KAMMEeE/zgJ/a B w f.; 2M

July 23, 1968 H. 1 BlGr-:Low ET AL 3,393,742

DISCONTINUOUS SET WELL PACKERS Filed Dec. 29, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Hz-'efr L Haaon/ AecHse W. K AMMseE/e, Jb.

BY W i @from/Fys.

July23,196s H. l.. BIGELOW ETAL 3,393Q742 DISCONTINUOUS SET WELL PAGKERS v Filed Dec. 29, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Lira. 12. Lia. 13.

INVENTOR. LIMQEWTL. B/@zow ARCHE/2 W. KAMMEeE/QIB. Biffle/44h l m 2% rroeA/Ers.

United States Patent Oliice 3,393,742 Patented July 23, 1968 3,393,742 DISCONTINUOUS SET WELL PACKERS Herbert L. Bigelow, Whittier, and Archer W. Kammerer, Jr., Fullerton, Calif., assignors to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Dec. 29, 1964, Ser. No. 421,839 17 Claims. (Cl. 166-123) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A Well packer t-o `be set in a well bore, the packer having initially retracted slips and an initially retracted pack- `ing structure, the slips being expanded against the well bore to anchor the packer therein, with a Ilock preventing expansion of the packing until after the slips have been expanded, the lock then being released to permi-t expansion of the packing.

The present invention relates to subsurface well 4bore apparatus, and more particularly to well packers adapted to be anchored in packed-olf condition in well bores.

An object of the invention is to provide a well packer capable of rst being anchored in a well casing, or the like, disposed in la well bore, to achieve a denite setting l0- cation of the packer in the well casing, after which the surface connections to the casing and to a tubular string connected to the packer can be completed to insure control of the well bore during displacement of the well bore Huid by circulating other uids around the packer, after which the packer can be packed-off against the well oasing to complete its setting therein without distur-bing the setting location of the packer. The foregoing primary object of the invention is achieved with a packer of a permanently set type, and also with a packer of the retrievable type.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined -by the appended claims.

FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner of lowering, setting, and using a well packer in a well bore of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, inclusive, on the drawings;

FIG. 4 is a combined longitudinal section 'and side elevational view of a well packer disposed in a well casing in condition to be lowered through the latter;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the well packer anchored in the well casing;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the well packer anchored in packed-olf condition in the well casme;

FIG. 7 is a combined side elevational view and longitudinal section through the lowe-r portion of the well packer illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 :are diagrammatic views illustrating the embodiment of well packer disclosed in FIGS. 11 to 13, inclusive, and the manner of its use within the well casing.

FIG. 1l is a combined side elevational view and longitudinal section through another embodiment of well packer illustrating the invention, with the parts in condition for lowering the well packer through a casing string or similar conduit string;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 illustrating the packer anchored against downward movement in the well casing, but without being packed-off therewithin;

FIG. 13 is a View similar to FIG. 1l, illustrating the well packer anchored in packed-off condition in lthe well casing.

In both forms of the invention illustrated in the drawings, it is desired to -lower a well packer A in a well casing B and anchor it at a predetermined location there- -within without sealing off the well packer against the wall of the well casing, to enable iluids to `be circulated down a tubular string C, the tluids discharging from the well packer and then passing upwardly therearound and back through the tubing-casing annulus D to the top of the well l bore. Such circulation of fluids preferably takes place under controlled conditions. Thus, after the well packer has 'been anchored in the Well casing, the surface connections lE at the top of the well bore to the tubing string C and the well casing B are completed so that the well bore iluids can be displaced under controlled conditions, insuring against blow-outs, and the like. Following the conditioning of the well `bore-by circulating iluid therethrough, the packer can be sealed off against the well casing without disturbing the surface connections, the well packer, if it is to be used for production purposes, then being appropriately anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing for the passage thereinto of the well bore production, which can flow from a producing zone through casing perforations F, the ilow continuing upwardly through the tubing string C to the top of the hole.

In the specic well packer illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, inclusive, a main tubular body 10 has an upper head 11 provided with an internally threaded portion 12 and with a lower body guide or abutment 13 threadedly attached thereto. A lower slip sleeve 14 surrounds the lower portion of the body and rests upon the lower guide 13, this slip sleeve having longitudinal slots 15 cut partially therethrough at circumferentially spaced points to provide weakened regions 15a at which the slip sleeve can break into segments. The lower slip sleeve has downwardly facing external wickers or teeth 16 and an inner expander surface 17 tapering in a downward and inward direction, this tapered surface coacting with a companion external tapered surface 18 on a lower expander 19 slidable on the body of the tool. g

The lower expander is formed as an annular cylinder, including a lower cylinder head 20 contacting the periphery of the body below one or more side ports 21 extending through the body, these ports communicating with an annular chamber 22 deiined between the upwardly extending skirt portion 23 of the cylinder expander, which is spaced from the body 10, and which is slidable on the exterior of a lower annular piston 24 slidably mounted on the body and which forms a sleeve on which a pliant, elastic and normally retracted packing member or structure 25 is mounted. The lower end of this packing rnernber or sleeve 25 bears against the upper end of the lower expander 19, and its upper end bears against an external flange or abutment 26, extending outwardly from the sleeve or piston 26. An upwardly extending annular piston 27 is integral with the ilange 26 and is disposed within an annular cylinder 28 having an upper cylinder head 29 slidably mounted on the periphery of the body 10 andhas upwardly facing external wickers or teeth 36 adapted to embed themselves in the wall of the well casing B. The upper end of the slip sleeve 34 engages the lower end of a thrust sleeve 37 that extends upwardly along the upper head 11 of the body.

Fluid within the central body passage 38 can pass into the upper cylinder 28 through one or more upper inlet ports 39 extending through the body 10. Leakage of fluid in an upward direction from the upper cylinder 28 is prevented by an inner seal ring 40 mounted in the cylinder head 29 and sealingly engaging the periphery of the body 10. Leakage of fluid from the upper cylinder is also prevented by an inner seal ring 41 mounted in the upper cylinder skirt 30 and engaging the periphery of the annular piston 27. Similarly, leakage of fluid from the annular chamber 22 in a downward direction is prevented by a suitable side seal 42 mounted in the lower cylinder head and sealingly engaging the periphery of the body, whereas upward leakage of uid from the annular cylinder 22 is prevented by a seal ring 43 mounted on the body and sealingly engaging the inner surface of the lower piston 24, and by another seal ring 44 mounted in the lower cylinder skirt 23 and sealingly engaging the periphery of the lower piston.

The annular chamber 22 is initially lled with a grease or other fluid-like packing material 45 trapped within the cylinder 19 by a valve sleeve 46 slidable in the body and disposed across the lower or discharge ports 21 leading into the annular chamber 22. The valve sleeve has suitable seal rings 47 above and below the ports 21 sealingly engaging the inner wall of the body to prevent discharge of lluid 45 from the annular chamber through the ports. Initially, the sleeve 46 is held in its closed position across the discharge ports by resting upon an upper shear ring 48 having a lower outwardly directed ilange portion 49 received within an internal groove 50 in the body. A lower shear ring 51 has an external tlange 52 received within an internal groove 53 in the body and spaced below the upper shear ring 48, the distance being such that when the upper shear ring is disrupted, the sleeve 46 will move downwardly to a position below the ports 21 before being arrested by the lower shear ring, for a purpose described hereinbelow.

For the purpose of retaining the upper and lower segmented slips 34, 14 anchored against the well casing B when they have been expanded thereagainst, a lock device is provided between the body 10 and upper expander 31. As specifically disclosed, this lock device includes a plurality of downwardly facing ratchet teeth 55 extending along the length of the body, these teeth meshing with internal upwardly facing ratchet teeth 56 in an inherently contractible, spring-like split lock ring 57 mounted within a groove 58 in the upper expander. The lock ring has external cam teeth 59 engaging companion internal cam teeth 60 in the expander 31. The lock device is not shown in detail since it is known per se. It is suicient to state that it permits relative upward movement of the body 10 with respect to the upper expander 31 but prevents downward movement of the body with respect thereto.

A similar type of lock device is provided between the ripper annular cylinder skirt 30 and the periphery of the upper annular piston 27. As shown, the periphery of the annular piston has upwardly facing ratchet teeth 61 extending therealong meshing with companion downwardly facing internal ratchet teeth 62 in an inherently contractible, spring-like split lock ring 63 which has external cam teeth 64 engaging companion internal cam teeth 65 in the cylinder skirt. The lock arrangement is such that the annular piston 27 can move downwardly within the split lock ring 63 and cylinder 28, but is precluded from having return upward movement therein.

The well packer A can be lowered in the well casing B with its slips 14, 34 and packing structure 25 in their initial retracted position and with the other parts occupying the relative position illustrated in FIG. 4. At this Cil time, the valve sleeve 46 is disposed over the discharge ports 21 to retain the grease or other packing material 45 in the annular chamber, which will prevent movement of the piston structure 24, 26, 27 downwardly along the body 10 and within the lower cylinder and expander 19, thereby precluding shortening of the packing sleeve 25 and its outward expansion against the wall of the well casing. The well packer can be lowered in the well casing on wire line apparatus that includes a setting tool H (only a portion of which is disclosed), such setting tool for example, being of the type illustrated in United States Patent No. 2,637,402, in which an upward pull is taken on a tension rod 68 and a downward force is imposed on a setting sleeve 69. The tension rod extends into the packer body 10 and is connected to a lower tension rod portion 70 through an intervening release stud 71 threadedly secured into the opposed ends of the upper and lower tension rods, this stud having a central weakened section 72 at which it can pull apart. The lower tension rod member 70 is integral with, or otherwise suitably attached to, a plate 73 that engages the lower end of the body 10. The setting sleeve 69 engages the upper end of the thrust sleeve 37.

The well packer A is lowered Iby a wire line I on the wire line apparatus H in the well casing B until the setting location in the latter is reached (FIG. l). Through suitable manipulation of the wire line apparatus H, an upward force is imposed on the tension rod 48 and a downward force on the setting sleeve 69. When such forces are sufficient, the thrust sleeve 37, in wedging the upper slip sleeve 34 over the upper expander 31, breaks the slip sleeve at its weakened sections 35a into segments 34 and moves these segments downwardly along the upper expander and outwardly into engagement with the well casing. At the same time, the tension rod 68 is moving the body 10 upwardly and will wedge the lower slip sleeve 14 upwardly of the lower expander 19, disrupting the lower sleeve at its weakened sections 15a into segments and expanding the latter outwardly against the well casing. The setting force continues, with a greater force lbeing exerted downwardly on the upper slip segments 34 and upwardly on the lower slip segments 14, the body 10 moving upwardly through the upper ratchet lock ring 57. When the setting force exceeds the strength of the release stud 71, the latter parts at its vweakened section 72, the tension rod 70 and plate 73 dropping downwardly to the bottom of the well bore and the setting tool H then being removable from the well casing B. At this time, the well packer A has been anchored in the well casing against movement in both an upward and downward direction, as disclosed in FIG. 5. However, the packing sleeve 25 has remained in its retracted position since the upper flange or abutment 26 cannot move toward the lower expander or abutment 19 because of the locking action provided by the lluid lock material 45 within the annular chamber 22, which is conned therewithin.

Following removal of the wire line setting assembly H from the well bore, a tubular string C is lowered in the well casing and its lower end is threaded into the upper threaded box 12 of the body 10 (FIG. 2). Fluid can now be circulated down through the tubing string C, passing through the anchored packer A and upwardly around its exterior to the top of the well bore for the purpose of displacing the uid in the well casing. The packing assembly 25 can then be expanded into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing. A suitable valve element 75, such as a 1ball, is dropped into the fluid in the tubing string and is allowed to gravitate or is pumped downwardly through the tubing string into engagement with the valve sleeve 46 to close the bore through the latter. The pressure of the fluid in the tubing string C is now increased suiciently to overcome the shear strength of the upper shear ring 48 and disrupt the latter, the valve sleeve `moving downwardly into engagement with the lower shear ring 51 to a position uncovering the lower discharge ports 21 and allowing the grease or other uid packing material 45 in the chamber to exit through the ports. The fluid pressure in the tubing string C can pass through the inlet ports 39 into the upper annular cylinder 28, exerting a downward force on the piston 27 to shift it downwardly of the body 10` and cylinder 28, the lower piston 27 moving within the lower cylinder 19 and the upper flange or abutment 26 moving toward the lower abutment 19 to shorten the pliant, elastic packing sleeve 25 and expand it outwardly into rm sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing, as disclosed in FIG. 6. The upper piston 27 can ratchet freely downwardly through the split ring 63, but is prevented from moving upwardly therethrough. The iuid pressure can be increased to the point at which the shear strength of the lower shear ring 51 is exceeded, the latter being disrupted and the ball valve element 75 and valve sleeve 46 being Iblown out through the lower end of the well packer A, dropping to the bottom of the well bore and leaving the passage 38 through the body 10 of the well packer unobstructed, as disclosed in FIG. 7.

A preferred manner of using the well packer illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, inclusive, is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In FIG. 1, the well packer A is connected to the wire line pressure setting assembly H at-tached to a suitable wire line J extending to the top `of the well bore. The well packer has its parts in their initial retracted position disclosed in FIG. 4 and is lowered in the well casing to a position above casing perforations F which are opposite a producing zone in the well bore. When the location in the well casing is reached, the slips 14, 34 are expanded outwardly against the well casing B to anchor the packer against upward and downward movement therewithin, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5. The wire line apparatus H, J is then withdrawn, as was described above, and the tu-bing string C then lowered in the well casing and threadedly connected to the upper portion of the packer body 10. The surface connections E are made to the tubing string C and well casing B in a known manner, and the iluid in the well bore can then be displaced, as by pumping other fluid downwardly through the tubing string C, such liuids discharging from the lower end of the well packer A and then passing upwardly around the well packer and through the tubing-casing annulus D thereabove to the top of the well bore. Since the surface connections E have been completed, the well is under full control.

After the circulation and conditioning of the well bore has been completed, the ball valve element 75 is dropped into the tubing string and will gravitate or be pumped down into engagement with its seat at the upper end of the valve sleeve 4-6, allowing pressure to be built up to a sufficient value to shear the upper shear `ring 48 and lower the valve 46 below the ports 21, which will allow the grease-like fluid 45 in the lower annular chamber 22 to discharge from such chamber through the lower ports 21. Fluid pressure also enters the inlet ports 39, as described above, for the purpose of shifting the piston structure 27, 26, 24 downwardly along the body 10 and to shorten the packing sleeve 25 and expand it outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing (FIG. 6). The exertion of suiicient pressure on the fluid will effect 'a shearing and disruption of the lower shear ring 51, such shear ring and valve sleeve being ejected from the lower end of the packer body 10 and into the well bore, the Well packer now being anchored in pack-off condition in the well casing, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 3.

The well packer can now function as a production packer, the formation fluids entering through the casing perforations F and passing upwardly through the body 10 of the packer into the tubing string C to be conducted thereby to the top of the well bore.

The embodiment of well packer illustrated in FIGS. ll, 12 and 13 is of the -retrievable type. It includes a main tubular body 100 having a lower slip assembly 101 mounted thereon. This `assembly includes a slip sleeve 102 slidably mounted thereon and having a plurality of circumferentialy spaced, longitudinal slots 103 in each of which a slip device 104 is disposed. This slip device includes a lower drag block portion 105 urged outwardly into frictional engagement with the wall of the well casing by a helical compression spring 106, and an upper anchor portion 107 having downwardly facing external wickers or teeth 108 adapted to be embedded in the wall of the well casing. The slip members 104 are movable laterally of the slip sleeve, their joint longitudinal movement through the well casing B being secured by mounting a retaining ring 109 on the slip sleeve that passes through external grooves 110 separating the drag block and anchoring portions 105, 107 of the slips. The upper end of the slip sleeve 102 is constituted by an external ilange 111 adapted to engage the upper side of the ring 109 so as to insure that downward movement of the slip sleeve is transmitted through the ring 109 to the slips 104, whereas upward movement of the slip sleeve 102 is transmitted to the slips by engaging their lower ends. Outward movement of the drag blocks 105 is limited by engagement of the lower terminals 112 of the slip members with an encompassing rim portion 113 of the slip sleeve. The lSlips are adapted to rock about the points of contact of the upper ends of the drag blocks 105 with the casing B to shift the anchor portions 107 into engagement with the casing. The springs 106 tend to rock the slip members in the opposite direction to fully engage the drag blocks 105 with the wall of the well casing and to retract the anchor portions 107 therefrom.

The slips have inner tapered expander surfaces 114 inclined in a downward and inward direction which are adapted to be engaged by a companion externally tapered surface 115 on an expander 116 thereabove which is secured to the body against longitudinal movement with respect thereto by a lower split ring 117 received in a peripheral groove 118 in the body 100 and engaging the lower end of the expander. An upper portion of the expander engages a split or C ring 119 received within a peripheral groove 120 in the body of the tool. When the body 100 of the tool moves downwardly within the slip assembly, as described hereinbelow, the expander 116 shifts downwardly within the anchor portions 107 of the slips and rocks them outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B.

The upper portion of the expander 116 engages the lower end of a packing sleeve or structure 121 of pliant, elastic material, such as rubber, which surrounds the body 100, the upper end of the packing sleeve engaging an upper abutment 122 threadedly attached to the lower portion of an upper thrust member 123 having a threaded box 124 threadedly attached to the lower pin end of a tubular string C that can extend to the top of the well bore. Upward movement of the upper abutment 122 along the body 100 is prevented by its engagement with a split or C ring 125 disposed in a peripheral groove 126 in the body, although the upper abutment can, when permitted to do so, move downwardly toward the lower abutment or expander 116 for the purpose of shortening the packing assembly 121 and expanding it outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing.

Initially, the thrust member 123 and upper abutment 122 are prevented from moving downwardly toward the lower abutment or expander 116 by a releasable latch device acting between the thrust member 123 and the upper portion of the packer body 100. As disclosed, the upper portion of the packer body has a plurality of circumferentilaly spaced longitudinal slots providing latch arms 131 capable of being expanded inwardly. These latch arms terminate in outwardly directed fingers 132 having upper inclined surfaces 133 tapering in an upward and inward direction and adapted to be initially engaged by a companion lowertapered surface 134 of an inwardly directed flange 135 of the thrust member. The lower ends 136 of the fingers are tapered in a downward and inward direction to provide cam surfaces coacting with a companion tapered surface 137 constituting the upper end of the thrust member flange 135.

Inward fiexing of the latch arms 131 is initially prevented by a frangible retaining ring 140 fitting within an upper counterbore 141 within the latch fingers 132 and the adjacent portions of the arms 131. This ring extends inwardly, to a slight extent, of the central passage 142 through the main portion of the body 100, providing `an upper tapered seat 143 for a tripping member 144, such as a ball valve element adapted to be moved down the tubing string C into engagement therewith. The disruption of the frangible retaining ring 140 will permit a downward force to be transmitted from the thrust member 123 to the upper tapered cam surfaces 133 of the fingers 132 to deflect them inwardly and thereby allow downward movement of the thrust member 123 and upper abutment 122 relative to the body 100 of the tool. However, when the frangible retaining ring 140 is in its counterbore 141 and intact, the downward thrust from the thrust member 123 is transmitted through the fingers 132 and arms 131 to the main body 100 of the tool, and from the latter through the C ring 119 to the expander 116. Thus, the upper abutment 122 is prevented from moving toward the lower abutment 116 until the fingers 132 can be deflected inwardly.

During lowering of the well packer A in the well casing, the body 100 is prevented from moving downwardly within the slip assembly 101, to prevent relative downward movement of the expander 116 with respect to the slips 104, by a suitable control device between the body and the slip sleeve 102. As shown in the drawings, the control device can be a simple pin and J-type slot arrangement. Thus, a pin 150 is secured to the body 100 and extends outwardly into a slot 151 in the sleeve 102. As disclosed in FG. 11, the pin engages the lower end of a short leg 152 of the slot structure, so that down ward movement of the body 100 is transmitted through the pin 150 to the slip sleeve 102 to carry the slip assembly 101 downwardly with the body. However, when the body 100 is elevated slightly and is then turned to the lett, the pin is shifted through the upper horizontal portion 153 of the slot into alignment with its longitudinal long leg 154, the pin then being capable of downward movement through the long leg of the slot to a position below the slip sleeve 102, which will permit downward movement of the body 100 and the parts surrounding it above the slips with respect to the slip assembly 101 for the purpose of expanding the slips 104 outwardly against the wall of the well casing B.

in the use of the retrievable well packer illustrated in FlGS. l1, 12 and 13, the parts initially occupy the relative positions illustrated in FIG. l1, the anchor portions 107 of the slips being retracted and the drag lblock portions 105 lbeing expanded outwardly by the springs 106 so as to frictionally drag along the wall of the well casing. The lower end of the tubular string C is threadedly attached to the thrust member 123 and the apparatus A lowered in the well casing on the tubular running-in string C. The drag blocks 105 drag along the wall of the Well casing, but the entire slip assembly 101 is forced downwardly through the well casing with the body because of the interconnection between the pin 150 and slip sleeve 102, as disclosed in FIG. 11. At the same time, the downward movement of the thrust member 123 is transmitted directly to the -body 100,through the fingers 132 and arms 131, the expander 116 being confined by the upper and lower rings 125, 119 against longitudinal movement relative to the body 100. The entire well packer apparatus is lowered to the desired setting location in the well casing on the tubing string, with the parts remaining in their relative positions illustrated in FIG. l1.

When the setting location in the well casing is reached, the tubing string C is turned to the lcft, this left-hand motion being transmitted to the thrust member 123 and upper abument 122 and frictionally through the fingers 132 to the body 100 of the tool. During such turning, the tubing string is elevated slightly to elevate the body of the tool slightly and thereby lift the pin 150 upwardly ino alignment with the horizontal portion 153 of the control slot 151. The friction drag blocks prevent longitudinal and rotary movement of the slip sleeve 102 at this time, so that the left-hand turning of the tubing string C will shift the pin 150 into alignment with the long leg 154 of the slot, whereupon the tubing string can be lowered, the downward movement being transmitted through the fiange and fingers 132 to the body 100 of the tool, the body moving downwardly with respect to the slip sleeve 102 and carrying the expander 116 downward-ly with it, until the expander moves behind the anchor portions 107 of the slips and rocks them outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B, as disclosed in FIG. 12. A substantial downward force can be imposed on the tubing string C to insure thc firm `wedging of the expander 116 behind the slips 107, and such downward force cannot move the upper abutment 122 toward the lower abutment or expander 116 to expand the packing 121 out against the casing, since the downward force bypasses around the packing, being transmitted from the thrust flange 135 to the fingers 132 and from the body 100 and the upper expander ring 119 to the expander 116. The downward force cannot cam or deflect the fingers 132 and the fiexible latch arms 131 inwardly at this time since the retaining ring prevents such inward movement. As a precautionary measure, and to insure retention of the retaining ring in the counterbore 141, it can be secured to one of the fingers 132 by a shear screw 180, or the like.

The well packer A is now anchored in the well casing, but is not packed-ofi. Accordingly, circulating fiuid can be pumped down through the tubing string C and through the packer A, discharging from its lower end and circulating the rwell bore fluid upwardly around the well packer (the packing is still in retracted condition) and through the tubing-casing annulus D to the top of the well bore.

If it is desired to effect a seal between the well packer and the wall of the well casing, a suitable tripping element, such as the ball 144, is allowed to pass downl wardly through the fiuid in the tubing C, or can be pumped downwardly therethrough, this ball coming to rest upon the upper end of retaining ring 140, which acts as a valve seat. The spaces between the fingers 132 are relatively small, so that the pumping of fiuid downwardly through the tubing string at a sufiicient rate will build up a back pressure on the ball which is exerted on the ring 140 sufficient to fracture the ring into pieces, the ball being pumped with the ring pieces down through the body 100 of the tool and ejected from the lower end of the latter. Following such fracturing of the retaining ring 140 and ejection of the ball 144, a downward force can now be imposed on the tubing string C, thrust member 123, and upper abutment 122. The body 100` of the tool cannot move downwardly since the expander 116 is wedged -behind the slips 107 that are embedded in the wall of the well casing B. Accordingly, the exertion of sufiicient downward force will cause the lower tapered surface 134 of the flange 135 to deect the fingers 132 and arms 131 inwardly and will allow the fiange to ride past the fingers, the thrust member 123 and abutment 122 moving downwardly toward the expander 116, shortening the packing sleeve 121 and effecting its outward expansion into firm sealing engagement with the wall of thc Well casing B. The well packer A is now anchored in packed-off condition in thc well casing, as disclosed in FIG. 13.

In the event it is desired to retrieve the well packer, an upward force is taken on the tubing string C, lifting the thrust member 123 and causing the upper cam surface 137 of the flange to engage the fingers 132 and deflect them and the arms 131 inwardly, the ange riding past the fingers to a position thereabove. Such movement of the thrust member carries the abutment 122 with it away from the lower abutment or expander 116, and allows the packing member 121 to retract inherently from the well casing. Upon engagement of the upper abutment 122 with the upper ring 125 secured to the body 100, the body is elevated to elevate the expander 116 with respect to the slips 104, the springs 106 rocking the drag blocks 105 on the well casing into full frictional engagement therewith, and shifting the anchor portions 107 of the slips inwardly from the well casing.

The well packer apparatus A can now be elevated in the well casing B and removed therefrom, if desired. If the well packer is to be released and then lowered to a new setting location in the well casing, the pin 50 can be moved upwardly through the long leg 154 of the slot to its horizontal portion 153 and the tubing string C then turned to the right to turn the body 100 of the tool for the purpose of locating the pin in alignment with the short leg 152 of the slot 151, whereupon downward movement of the tubing string C will carry the body 100 downwardly with it, as well as the slip assembly 101.

A preferred use of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 11 to13 is disclosed in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. In FIG. 8, the well packer is illustrated with its parts in retracted position for lowering on the tubing string in the well casing to a setting location therein that can typically be immediately above casing perforations F facing a production zone in the well bore. The pin 150 is released from the slot 151 and the tubing string C lowered to set the slips .104, as illustrated in FIG. 9, whereupon the surface connections E can be made at the top of the well bore to the tubing string C and the well casing B, to insure control of the well. Fluid can then be circulated down through the tubing string, discharging from the lower end of the well packer A and displacing the well bore fluid upwardly through the tubing casing annulus D to the top of the well bore, such displacement taking place with the well under the control of the valve mechanisms forming part of the surface connections.

Prior to completion of the surface connections E, but with the slips 104 anchored against the well casing, a sufficient downweght will be imposed by the tubing string, as by allowing part ofthe weight of the tubing string C to rest on the thrust member 123 to insure a sufficient force for expanding the packing 121 into firm sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing. The flange connections E at the top of the well bore will then be completed in a known manner. When the well bore iluid has been displaced, the trip ball 144 is lowered or pumped down the tubing string into engagement with the retaining ring 140, the pressure being increased to a sufficient value to break the frangible ring 140 into relatively small pieces, the pressure then ejecting the broken pieces and the trip ball down through the body 100 of the tool and completely therefrom, the broken parts and ball dropping to the bottom of the well bore.

Upon removal of the retaining ring 140 from its position behind the fingers 132, the restraint to inward shifting of the fingers and inward deflection of the latch arms 131 is removed, the energy stored in the tubing string C, in the form of a portion of its weight, then being released to effect an inward camming of the fingers 132 from the restrained position under the thrust member flange .135, the tubing string elongating in a downward direction to shift the thrust member 123 and upper abutment 122 downwardly toward the expander 116 and thereby shortening the packing element 12.1 and effecting its outward expansion into engagement with the wall of the well casing, as disclosed in FIG. l0. The packer A is now anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing, allowing the production from the well bore to pass through the perforations F and upwardly through 4the body passage 142 and tubing string C to the top of the well bore.

It is, accordingly, apparent that well packers have been provided which can be anchored at a denite location in the well bore and which can also have an associated tubular string appropriately secured to surface connections, such surface connections also being completed to the well casing. Such Hanging up of the well preparatory to displacement of the well bore fluid is desirable to insure control of the well at all times. Following displacement of the well bore fluid, the surface connections E need not be disturbed, the upper end of the tubing string remaining fixedly secured thereto while the packing assembly can be expanded into firm sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing. A definite setting location of the packer is achieved prior to the packing-oil operation. The prior setting of the slips prevents sudden shock loads from being imposed on the slips, which could occur in the event that the slips and the packing were expanded outwardly against the wall of the well casing simultaneously.

We claim:

1. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to belowered in the well conduit; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; means for releasing said lock means; and means operable independently of said releasing means for expanding said packing means following release of said lock means.

A2. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means responsive to longitudinal movement of said body means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; means operable in response to fluid pressure in said body means for releasing said lock means; and means for expanding said packing means following release of said lock means.

3. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to. be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means responsive to a longitudinally directed .force imposed on said body means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; releasable lock means lbypassing such longitudinally directed force around said packing means to prevent expansion of said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; means for releasing said lock means; and means operable independently of said releasing means for expanding said packing means following release of said lock means.

4. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: -body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the conduit; means responsive to a longitudinally directed force imposed on said body means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; releasable lock means bypassing 11 such longitudinally directed force around said packing means to prevent expansion of said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; means for releasing said lock means; and means responsive to uid pressure in said body means for expanding said packing means following release of said lock means.

5. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means responsive to a longitudinally directed force imposed on said body means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; releasable lock means bypassing such longitudinally directed force around said packing means to prevent expansion of said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; means for releasing said lock means; and means operable independently of said releasing means for imposing a longitudinally directed force on said packing means to expand said packing means following release of said lock means; said packing means engaging said gripping means to transmit such longitudinally directed force on said packing means to said gripping means and retain said gripping means anchored against the well conduit.

6. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted slip means on said body means; expander means on said body means engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means engaging said expander means; said body means being movable longitudinally to shift said expander means and slip means with respect to each other and expand said slip means against the conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during longitudinal movement of said body means and expansion of said slip means; means for releasing said lock means; and means operable independently of said .releasing means for imposing a longitudinal force on said packing means directed toward said expander means to expand said packing means against the well conduit and to retain said slip means against the well conduit.

7. In a well packer adapted to be lowered on a running-in string in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means; initially retracted slip means on said body means; initially retracted packing means above and engaging said expander means; said body means being movable downwardly in response to downward movement of the running-in string to move said expander means downwardly within said slip means and expand said slip means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during downward movement of the running-in string and 'body means in eifecting expansion of said lock means; means for releasing said lock means; and means operlable independently of said releasing means for imposing a downwardly directed force on said packing means following release of said lock means to expand said packing means, said downwardly directed force being transmitted through said packing means to said expander means to retain said slip means against the well conduit.

S. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body lmeans adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted sl-ip means on said body means expandable against the well conduit to anchor said body means against movement in both longitudinal directions; upper and lower expander means on said ybody means engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means engaging one of said expander means; said body means being movable longitudinally to shift said upper and lower expander means and said slip means with respect to each other and expand said slip means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during longitudinal movement of said body means and expansion of slip means; means for releasing said lock means; and means for imposing a longitudinal force on said packing means directed toward said one of said expander means to expand said packing means against the well conduit and to retain said slip means against the well conduit.

9. In a well packer adapted to Ibe lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted upper and lower slip means on said lbody means expandable against the well conduit to anchor said body means against movement in lboth longitudinal directions; upper and lower expander means on said body means engageable with said upper and lower slip means, respectively, to expand Isaid upper and lower slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means Ibetween said upper and lower expander means and engaging one of said expander means; said body means being movable longitudinally to shift said upper and lower expander means and said upper and lower slip means with respect to each other and expand said upper yand lower slip means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during longitudinal movement of said body means and expansion of said upper and lower slip means; means for releasing said lock means; and means for imposing a longitudinal force on said packing means directed toward said one of said expander means to expand said packing means against the well conduit and to retain said upper and lower slip means against the well conduit.

10. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted upper and lower Islip means on said body means expandable against the well conduit to anchor said body means against movement in both longitudinal directions; upper and lower expander means on said body means engageable with said lupper .and lower slip means, respectively, to expand said upper and lower slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means between said upper and lower expander means and engaging one of said expander means; said body means being movable longitudinally to shift said upper and lower expander means and said upper and lower slip means with respect to each other and expand said upper and lower slip means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during longitudinal movement of said body means and expansion of said upper `and lower slip means; means for releasing said lock means; and means responsive to the pressure of fluid in said body means for imposing a longitudinally directed force on said packing means directed toward said one of said expander means to expand said packing means against the well conduit and to retain said upper and lower slip means against the well conduit.

11. In a well packer yadapted to be lowered on a running-in string in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means; initially retracted slip means on said body means; initially retracted packing means above and engaging said expander means; said -body means being being movable downwardly in response to downward movement of the running-in string to move said expander means downwardly within said slip means and expand said slip means against the well conduit; releasable lock means prevent-ing expansion of said packing means during downward movement of the running-in string and body means in effecting expansion of said slip means; means in which energy is storable for imposing a downwardly directed force on said packing means to expand said packing means against the well conduit following release of said lock means; and means for releasing said lock means after storage of energy in said energy storable means and independently of such storage of energy toV release the energy in said energy storable means for downward action on said packing means.

12. In a well packer adapted to be lowered on a running-in string in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means; initially retracted slip means on said body means; initially retracted packing means above and engaging said expander means; said body means being lmovable downwardly in response to downward movement of the running-in string to move said expander means downwardly within said slip means and expand said slip means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during downward movement of the running-in string and body means -in effecting expansion of said lslip means; a tubular string extending to the top of the well bore and operatively connected with said well packer; means for stressing said tubular string to stolre energy therein prior to release of said lock means for imposing a downwardly directed force on said ipacking means to expand said packing means against the well conduit following release of said lock means; and means for releasing said lock means to release the energy in said tubular string for downward action on said packing means.

13. In a Well packer adapted to be lowered on a running-in string in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means; initially retracted slip means on said body means; expander means on said body means above and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; initially retracted packing means above and engaging said expander means; thrust means connectible to the running-in string engaging said packing means and movable downwardly toward said expander means for expanding said packing means against the well conduit; releasable lock means engaging said thrust means and body means to transmit downward movement of said thrust means to said body means in response to downward movement of the running-in string to move said expander means downwardly within said slip means and expand said slip mea-ns against the well conduit, said lock means preventing relative movement of said thrust means toward said expander means; and means operable independently of rotation of said thrust means for releasing said lock means to permit downward movement of said lthrust means toward said expander means.

14. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; means movable downwardly into said body means and into engagement with said lock means for releasing said lock means; and means for expanding said packing means following release of said lock means.

15. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means responsive to longitudinal movement of said body means for expanding said gripping means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing mea-ns during expansion of said gripping means; means operable in response to uid pressure in said body means for releasing said lock means; and means responsive to uid pressure in said body means for expanding said packing means following release of said lock means.

16. In a well packer adapted to be lowered in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means adapted to be lowered in the well conduit; initially retracted gripping means on said body means expandable outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well conduit; initially retracted packing means on said body means expandable outwardly into sealing engagement with the well conduit; means responsive to a longitudinally directed force imposed on said body means for expanding said gripping means again-st the well conduit; releasable lock means bypassing such longitudinally directed force around said packing means to prevent expansion of said packing means during expansion of said gripping means; means responsive to longitudinally directed force of `said expanding means for releasing said lock means; and means for expanding said packing means following release of said lock means.

17. In a well packer adapted to be lowered on a runningin string in a well conduit disposed in a well bore: body means; initially retracted slip means on said body means; initially retracted packing means above a-nd engaging said expander means; said body means being movable downwardly in response to downward movement of the runningin string to move said expander means downwardly within said slip means and expand said slip means against the well conduit; releasable lock means preventing expansion of said packing means during downward movement of the running-in string and body means in effecting expansion of said lock means; means for imposing a straightline dow-nwardly directed force on said lock means to release said lock means and for then imposing the downwardly directed straight-line force on said packing means to expand said packing means, said downwardly directed force being transmitted through said packing means to said expander means to retain said slip means against the well conduit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,121,051 6/1938 Ragan et al. 166--137 X 2,171,479 8/1939 Nixon 166--138 X 2,178,844 11/1939 Baker 166-187 X 2,182,549 12/ 1939 Brumbly 166-139 X 2,270,647 1/1942 Church 166-124 X 2,315,921 4/1943 Baker 166-137 X 3,115,189 12/1963 Althouse et al. 166--138 X 3,131,764 5/1964 Muse et al. 166-134 X 3,137,349 6/1964 Garrett 166-134 X 3,142,339 7/ 1964 Brown et al. 166-122 3,189,096 6/1965 Phenix 166-123 X CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

I. A. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner. 

